Matemba says Kondowe ‘lied’: ACB bosses rift grows as political interference divides Malawi graft busting body

Graft busting body, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) top two bosses are clearly divided in what commentators say  is as a result of high level political interference.

Kondowe: Controversial ACB boss
Kondowe: Controversial ACB boss
Matemba: Kondowe lied
Matemba: Kondowe lied

Deputy director of ACB, Reyneck Matemba recently refuted remarks by his boss, Lucas Kondowe, that the deputy director gave a legal advice to Malawi Regulatory Authority  (MRA) contract.

“I did not take part in advising the case of MERA as reported by Kondowe. In fact it is Mike Kalonga who is handling that case so it is a total lie,” said Matemba.

“Our working relationship is just good that is the only thing I can tell you. But on the report that I was among the legal adviser to the MERA case he was lying,” he added.

In an interview on Tuesday, Kondowe insisted he consulted Matemba but Matemba said he was never consulted.

Kondowe described Matemba as somebody who failed to understand things fast.

“You know there are some people who fail to understand fast, I don’t know what he is denying. But any way, my office and his are in good relationship,” argued Kondowe.

Let by Kondowe’s personal involvement, ACB is restricting MERA to give a K6.8 billion contract to Terrastone Limited to construct MERA office complex of which the Lilongwe magistrate court refused.

Sources close to ACB said it was even surprising that the Auditor General Stephenson KAmphasa gave the names of the seven cabinet ministers allegedy involved in the K236 billion to Kondowe in the absence of Matemba.

“The former director of ACB never did this. He involved his deputy in every undertakings unlike this one, Mr Kondowe.”

The sources said Kamphasa and Kondowe exchanged the cashgate names in the absence of Matemba or other senior officials which is very unusual in the set up of ACB.

Kondowe is a financial expert whilst Matemba is a lawyer by profession and also lead prosecutor for ACB.

Recently, Matemba shocked the nation when he recused himself from the high level corruption case of former president Bakili Muluzi.

Some people cited the political interference as the main cause that is dividing the two top heads of the graft busting body.

The differences of the two bosses, high level political interferences coupled with poor working conditions and poor remuneration has led to 13 members of staff resigning in less than a year.

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Chimwemwe
Chimwemwe
7 years ago

For an organisation like ACB, this sort of advice if indeed given must have been put in writing. Can Kondowe just produce the written evidence already? Or Minutes of meeting where this legal advise was given? Kondowe please?

Mukatopa Ndi Utsilu Mutiuza
Mukatopa Ndi Utsilu Mutiuza
7 years ago

In Chichewa this is what is referred to as kuyaluka. Usually dishonest and crooked people do their thing in hiding. When you see them come out and talk about their stuff in public places then know that their time is nigh!

Keep going, mukatopa mutiuza.

Maunisi
Maunisi
7 years ago

So what is this Mr Mathanyula happening at ACB. This is curse.

Angel of Doom
Angel of Doom
7 years ago

There are so many ways of saying the same thing, and the same thing appears differently to different people. We have been condemning certain traditions that occur in this country, but as we drift away from these traditions, some of us can see the aftermath and I believe we are what they call in English “ Kutaya madzi osambisila mwana, ndi mwana yemwewo” I am not sure which part of Malawi Matemba comes from, but in the days of old, hewould have already gone through the tradition of “Kubvinidwa”, this tradition taught young men how to get out of tricky… Read more »

dean\'s list
7 years ago
Reply to  Angel of Doom

Angel of Doom, your analysis is very intelligible and quite humourous at times. However, you sound biased in your last but one statement which made me withhold 15 from your essay. So you get 85/100. You avoid the bias next time, and 100% is yours.

Jarred
Jarred
7 years ago
Reply to  Angel of Doom

One cannot use terms like “…we are in good relationship…” and “…he lied…” on same topic. Something is not right here. Either the journalists/reporter is trying to spice up an evident rift between the 2 offices from the recent news that made headlines on MERA saga by deliberate mosquoting the Deputy Director – this is not unusual, by time the re-tract misrepresented facts, the damage has been done …. OR ….. as you have put it; someone needs to be disciplined on how to talk about domestic matters outside the confines of your home. You dont wash linen in public.… Read more »

Vyaluta
7 years ago

Mulungu si munthu more to come muululana God in control agalu nonse. This body is now useless

577 Billion
577 Billion
7 years ago

We entrusted dogs to guard our meat
We entrusted robbers to guard our money
We entrusted thugs to guard our life

We employed storytellers in our media houses
Crying for my beloved Malawi

tiko
tiko
7 years ago

AKONDOWE U TOO BOSSY

Anaphiri
Anaphiri
7 years ago

Lucas is a loser in so many ways and treats his wife badly!

Emeneka
Emeneka
7 years ago
Reply to  Anaphiri

Zauchitsiru what has Kondowes family life got to do with the ACB. Where is it said that names should only be given in the presence of a lawyer. Kondowe is the boss and he can receive aby document without the involvement of Matemba. Prosecution is something different. The problem with Matemba is that he takes advice from the Solicitor General Dr. J. Banda who is very inefficient and biased and seriously bent on bringing down DPP. This fight starts from Ministry of Justice where Samuel Tembenu and Janet Banda are working against Kalekenj Kaphale it then extends to the ACB.… Read more »

Jarred
Jarred
7 years ago
Reply to  Anaphiri

You friends with the wife?

prof. Odiyayo
prof. Odiyayo
7 years ago

Mr Kondowe tell is Matemba a fast talker or honest guy?

Must a
7 years ago
Reply to  prof. Odiyayo

Time is the teacher muululana osadera nkhawa a Malawi daikonlitu ndi la Yehova ndizokhalamo zomwe,amen

Must a
7 years ago
Reply to  prof. Odiyayo

Ngati simuulula mufa ngati akufera amnzanu bcoz a problem shared is half way solved

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